Data Protection

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 June 2023

Tuesday, 13 June 2023

Questions (1388)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

1388. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the security protections in place for remote workers within civil and public service organisations to safeguard against personal information of members of the public in audio, text and electronic form being inadvertently exposed to unauthorised third parties within the remote setting; if he can provide a copy of the remote working best practice guidelines for civil and public service workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28644/23]

Written answers

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

My Department is committed to the highest level of data protection for the personal data which it processes and takes its compliance with data protection obligations very seriously. My Department has a range of policies in place which encompass ICT usage, removing files, Information security Policy, GDPR compliance among others. These policies apply to staff regardless of location i.e. working in the office or remotely.

My Department has specifically published a policy on removing files from the office for remote working, which includes guidance on security and confidentiality.

Staff working remotely use departmental laptops which are encrypted and multifactor authentication has been deployed to protect user accounts from compromise.

Remote working best practice is guided by the Blended Working Policy Framework for Civil Service Organisations.

Policy on Removing files for remote working

Remote access policy